Health Technician (Ophthalmology)

A Health Technician (Ophthalmology) supports eye-care providers by conducting basic diagnostic tests, gathering accurate patient information, and operating ophthalmic equipment. The technician prepares exam or telehealth rooms, assists with visual screenings and imaging, and helps maintain efficient clinic workflow to ensure high-quality patient care.

Duties

Clinical Responsibilities The GS-8 level (Full Performance Level) is the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures. In addition to the duties expected of the GS-7 level, the following clinical duties and responsibilities are expected at the GS-8 assignment:

i. Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments.
ii. Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications.
iii. Accurately tests visual acuity at a distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.
iv. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder.
v. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect.
vi. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter.
vii. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops, or antibiotics).
viii. Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry.
x. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature.
x. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device.
xi. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines
xii. Performs external photographs and fundus photography.
xiii. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve.
xiv. Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions.
xv. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures.
xvi. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions
xvii. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations.
xviii. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering.

Work Schedule: Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 58627F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position: Not Authorized
Functional Statement 58627F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Requirements